Looking for "must see's" from SC to northern MI, Wi, and Minnesota

[Trixx]

My wife are on a short timeline to plan a trip starting in Columbia, SC, then to eastern Virginia, northern Michigan Penninsula, over to northern Wisconsin, and down from there and Minnesota into a wedding in Iowa the 26th of this month. We plan to leave Columbia SC on Friday, see some family a few days in Virginia, then continue with the rest of our trip.

Our goal is primarily woodsy sight seeing camping. We will have our 12 week old German Shepherd with us. Not too interested in anything non-nature related or obviously places we couldn't have the dog.

We will be traveling in a 2017 4runner with a 3" lift and Toyo RT tires with a 1966 M416 trailer and Tepui RTT in tow.

Last winter we did a 3000 mile motorcycle trip from Phoenix to Cabo San Lucas in Baja and back, camping every other night, so our packing list is based off that, just far more comfortable lol.

I was laid off work Monday, and don't want to sit around the house looking for a job when we could be out and about, so we're leaving asap. Just working on getting loose ends tied up. Normally we would spend a lot more time planning.

Anyways, I'm looking for suggestions on our route. We don't have a "hard route" yet, just our general outline. Looking for campgrounds, dispersed camping, short trails, must see's, etc. due to the time of year we want to get up North where it's cooler. Not a big fan of sweating all day/night while camping.

If I haven't found work by the wedding we'll head to the Black Hills, Glacier National Park, then work our way down.

Thanks for any guidance.

 

[JPOVS]

In MN I would recommend visiting the north shore, north of Duluth. The north shore is probably the most special outdoorsy spot in MN. Lots of rugged terrain. To me nothing else in the state compares. The farther north towards the border the better the scenery and foliage get. Even those last few miles on hwy61.
Be prepared to sweat, not from the heat but from the humidity. I prefer spring and fall due to all the humidity, but it doesn't seem to bother some as much as me. The temperature is cooler near Lake Superior.
Trails, none that I can recommend other than just driving down Forrest and logging roads. There is an OHV MN state park in the iron range. A google search could net a few more OHV parks in the state if that's your thing.
Another suggestion maybe a drive up the Gunflint trail. That's a paved road that goes inbetween the BWCAW. It heads inland from Grand Marais.
Could also take a day hike on the Superior Hiking Trail (SHT) that runs just inland along entire MN north shore. World class hiking trail with lots of ridge top views of Lake Superior, numerous water falls, and rivers along the trail.
Good luck!

 

[Trixx]

In MN I would recommend visiting the north shore, north of Duluth. The north shore is probably the most special outdoorsy spot in MN. Lots of rugged terrain. To me nothing else in the state compares. The farther north towards the border the better the scenery and foliage get. Even those last few miles on hwy61.
Be prepared to sweat, not from the heat but from the humidity. I prefer spring and fall due to all the humidity, but it doesn't seem to bother some as much as me. The temperature is cooler near Lake Superior.
Trails, none that I can recommend other than just driving down Forrest and logging roads. There is an OHV MN state park in the iron range. A google search could net a few more OHV parks in the state if that's your thing.
Another suggestion maybe a drive up the Gunflint trail. That's a paved road that goes inbetween the BWCAW. It heads inland from Grand Marais.
Could also take a day hike on the Superior Hiking Trail (SHT) that runs just inland along entire MN north shore. World class hiking trail with lots of ridge top views of Lake Superior, numerous water falls, and rivers along the trail.
Good luck!

Awesome! Thank you for all the feedback. Adding that to the lists as we haven't searched/had a lot of input from Minnesota yet!

 

[lucky7]

The Woodward Dream Cruise is the 19th, but you'll likely see lots and lots of cars the week before/after if you head through Detroit (I-75).

Grand Rapids is/was 'beer city USA' for a few years.....If you're that type.

Tahquamenon Falls - https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tahquamenon_Falls

Lake Kitch-iti-kipi is pretty cool - https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kitch-iti-kipi

Pictured Rocks - https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pictured_Rocks_National_Lakeshore

There's lots more to see that I haven't yet seen. The Upper Peninsula is pretty neat though. It really feels like you're in a completely different place once you cross that big old bridge.

I haven't made it to the other side in probably 10 years.

I grew up south of the Twin Cities with my entire family living in the Detroit area. 2-3 times a year we'd make the drive to visit, and 9/10 times we'd go through the UP. It is a very beautiful drive, and as mentioned, northern Mn is stunning in the summer. Incredibly underrated, IMO.

 

[wadle5]

Where in Iowa is the wedding?

 

[HSP22]

Are we invited ?

 

[UrbanRunner651]

The north shore in MN is definitely worth checking out, camping, hiking, fishing, the alpine slide at wild mountain, etc. and seeing as your coming from MI UP you'll most likely come straight across into Duluth which is the starting point. There is a lot to see so plan ahead on what you want to see or skip because it can easily consume a whole day just driving along it. I would suggest looking into a stop near the apostle islands in northern WI. won't be much out of the way, multiple camping options and beautiful "sea" caves you can tour via kayak or other. there are also a few bluffs and other parks with hiking and camping access located along the st Croix river valley that splits MN and WI on your way down to Iowa.
Safe travels.